1. THE STEEPLECHASE
The effect is that a coin revolves from joint to joint on the back of the hand. To begin, hold the right hand closed, the palm toward the audience, the first joints of the fingers horizontal, and the back of the hand vertical. Place the coin, a half dollar, or dollar, in an upright position between the tip of the thumb and the side of the first joint of the forefinger (Fig. 18). Release the pressure of the thumb and let the coin fall flat on top of the first joint of the forefinger (Fig. 19).
Move the joint of the second finger a little toward the right and raise it; then bring it down to pinch the edge of the coin that overlaps the first joint, making the coin rise to a vertical position and then fall flat on the joint of this finger, turning over in the process. Separate and raise the joint of the third finger in its turn; then lower it to pinch the side of the coin just as you did with the second finger, with the result that the coin turns over and falls flat on the joint of this third finger.
Repeat the same movements with the fourth finger, then hold the coin in a perpendicular position between the joints of these last two fingers.
At this point there are three different methods of procedure:
First. Let the coin slide down between the joints of the two fingers onto the tip of the thumb, held underneath the hand, and carry it, thus balanced, back to the starting point between the thumb and forefinger joint.
Second. Let the coin fall flat on the joint of the third finger again; slope the hand a little and make it slide over the joints to the starting point, where the thumb tip nips the edge and raises it to a perpendicular position ready for a repetition of the roll.
Third. Let the coin fall flat on the joint of the third finger; raise the joint of the middle finger, moving it a little to the left, then bring it down, nipping the edge that overlaps and making the coin fall flat onto its joint. Repeat the same movements with the first finger, and turn the coin over onto its joint; then nip its edge with the thumb tip, bringing it back to the starting position.
The flourish must be learned with each hand. Practice the separate movements very slowly at first and make no attempt at speed until the finger movements are thoroughly coordinated.
As soon as the roll has been mastered with both hands, proceed to the following routine:
(1) Place a coin between the tips of the right thumb and forefinger joint, roll it to the little finger, let it slide down onto the thumb, and carry it back under the hand to the starting point. Again roll it to the little finger, then roll it back over the hand to the thumb.
(2) Bring the left hand over to the right hand and let the coin turn over and fall into the starting position between the left thumb and first joint of the left forefinger. Roll it over the left joints and back again, and then again into the starting point in the right hand.
(3) Take a second coin with the left hand and make the coins in each hand roll back and forth simultaneously.
The flourish is a very graceful one and gives the onlookers a high opinion of the operator’s dexterity. As an incentive to the reader, though it may seem almost incredible, the author vouches for the fact that Mr. Ross, the Philadelphia magician, performs the feat with four coins in each hand, the coins rolling separately and simultaneously.
Vanishing Coin by Means of the Steeplechase Flourish
After the roll with two coins, put the coin in the left hand on the table and repeat the roll with the right hand, bringing the coin to the little-finger position. Bring the left hand over, pretend to take the coin (Fig. 20), and move the left hand away closed. In reality, let it slide down between the third and fourth fingers and pinch it there. Close the second, third, and fourth fingers into the palm and point to the left hand with the right forefinger (Fig. 21).
The coin is now pinched on the inside of the right hand between the third and fourth fingers. Open this hand, keeping its back to the front; the fingers pointing to the right; place the tips of the left fingers against those of the right hand, pinch the coin between the left second and third fingers, and stroke the right hand from the fingertips to the wrist, making a turn to the right at the same time. Close the last three fingers of the left hand into the palm and point to the empty right hand with the left forefinger. Drop the left hand behind the right knee and produce the coin between the tips of the left thumb and forefinger.
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